South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1887-10-14
DR.. MARY WALKER.
The Noted Woman Who Mas
querades in Mans Attire.
Stories by Detroit Man Who
Knows Her Very Well.

"Dr. Mary Walker' oh, yea know
Mary very well. Imade her acquaint-
ancc way down in Texas shortly after
the war"
The speaker was Henry p Sanger,
who leaned back in his chair and pulled
meditatively at his cigar. IL was on
my way" he continued TO reporter Of
the Detroit Tribune, ito attend the first
state fair held in Texas, in Houston. l
took the steamer at Galveston-and a
mighty fine steamer that was, too, with
| great broad decks and reclining chairs
and commanded by officers who were
: perfect gcntlemen-for Houston, and
there was mighty big crowd on board.
There were some distinguished people,
too, including Judge Jere Black, the
noted Pennsylvania.
"About two minutes before the gang
| plank was hauled in and the order given
to cast off," carriage came rafting
down the street and stopped on the
wharf. Satchels, bandboxes and shawls
began to issue from the vehicle in end
less profusion, and were followed by unite
of humanity dressed in the half male.
half female garb which has advertised
the name of DR.. Mary Walker through
out the land. She flew about on the
wharf issuing peremptory orders to the
| porters, the ships officers and, in fact
everybody within reach of her voice.
She was accompanied by a tall, lank in
dividual of uncertain age, with oiled
locks which hung over his shirt collar.
and carefully waxed mustache, the
ends of which were reduced to point
fine enough to thread a needle. He con-
Quoted the great Mayor rather Mary
conducted him up the gangplank with
considerable ceremony, and they disap-
| peared from the view of the curious
passengers.
when the dinner hour arrived went
down to the dining saloon with friend.
We found the room uncomfortable
crowded, and concluded to 90 to the
after deck and smoke until the crowd
had thluned out. Smoking was not pro-
hlbited on the after deck, but we found a
couple of ladies there, and so asked their
permission before lighting our cigars
We smoked and chatted away there for
: several minutes when the rasping voice
OF Mary Walker fell upon our ears.
| Throw those nasty cigars away!n
1--WE smoked on, pretending not to
have heard the command, when the voice
sounded more emphatic. Il want you
men to throw those nasty cigars away
at once. They are offensive
MY companion bowed toward the
two ladies near by aud inquired, Is our
smoking offensive, ladicsr'
"'oh, no, no. they cxpostulatcd,
keep your cigars, gentlemen
''We renewed our conversation and
calmly smoked away. The doctor grew
warm. Men don't smoke she ex-
claimed. Only brutes in the forms of
men will dcfile their mouths with vile
tobacco. Any man with mother, a
wife, daughters, a sweetheart or any
body whom he respects is n disgrace to
her or them, and to his race if he smokes
or chews Tobacco
"This was delivered with an attempt
at oratorical effect that was really LAUGH
able
|
''Sir," began my friend.
| Don't sir me-, screamed the now
excited woman. Il am DIR. Mary Wal
ker and you know it. Don't pretend
that you don't know my sex.'
"Well, then, madame, just want to
say right here that have mother. I
also have wife and five children. Some
of 'em are girls. have grandaunt and
/ seven other aunts, and the last time |
counted had thirty -nine female cousins
My sweethearts arc as numerous as the
/ heavens, and kiss 'em every chance I
get. ] have chewcd tobacco Ikea vet
Gran for forty seven years and | smoke
whenever feel like it,"
1.-THE doctor danced around like a bug
on hot griddle. At this iuncture the
ships steward appeared upon the scene.
She laid hand upon that official and de-
mandcd that those dirty loafers' he re-
/ CURED to throw their cigars away.
But smoking il allowed on the after
deck, cxpostu,ated tho steward.
"'You are no gentleman, so there,
now, replied tho great Mary
" I'll send the captain, said the stew
ard, alertIy Withdrawing from the doc
tors grasp, perhaps he'll fix matters to
suit you.
! Presently the captain appeared. lie
! quietly listened 10 repetition of Dr.
Walkers TRADE and the volunteer OK
plantations Of about fifty passengers who
had 10y this time surrounded us. and then
quietly laid ms hand upon her shoulder.
Il am captain Of this ship he said, and
my word here is law. If you don't 90
10 your stateroon at once I'll put you in
irons, and Mary went.
''Thcn everybody smoked.
al never saw DIR. Walker but once
after that. She was in New Orleans
and was in custody Of n police officer